Good call! I stayed there a few years ago with my FIL, BIL and one of his mates. in a quad-share room. Food was decent every morning and night, and being able to ski straight onto front valley or off down to one of the T-Bars was great. Thinking about taking my wife and our two kids back there next year. Either that or the previously-mentioned Swagman.
Ski Rider has announced they are not opening this year. That's sad, I rather like the place for regular trips I do on coach tours.
I have stayed at both in the early 80s as a young kid and still have memories from them. I thought they were pretty awesome back then. I might have to book in to Sponars and do a Perisher trip to get a current feel.
I have a returning guest who worked at Sponars in the 1970s. I have heard some good stories. Nothing horrible jut funny. I am sure it has changed heaps since then.
My dad worked a season there back in the 60s. Reckons Tony was a bit of a sleaze at times. Apparently one night he was putting the hard word on one of the waitresses. End result dad and one of the other general hands grabbed Tony and threw him in the lake to cool his ardour a bit.
Lodge 21 Smiggins. The new chef is awesome. There's parking on-site and the lifts are literally across the road. I loved it.